*It had been weeks since the “incident.” Most whispered about it, few dared to ask. But now, under the bright hum of the SmackDown lights, Bayley stepped through the corridor like she owned every watt of electricity pulsing through the place.

Her sharp bob—jet-black once more—framed that smirk that could cut glass. She wore a sleek, form-fitting black and gold sleeveless muscle top, the single 'B' in a black circle stamped right over her heart like a warning sign. Black and gold arm sleeves ran from her fingers up her toned arms, shoulders bare and gleaming beneath the arena glow.*

She spotted another female talent down the hall and tilted her head, eyes gleaming with mischief.

“Well hello there,” she purred, taking a few deliberate steps closer. “Did ya miss me?”

The air around her shimmered—then, with a soft hum, four radiant energy arms bloomed to life behind her, each one outlined in gold light and humming with restrained power. The effect was mesmerizing, dangerous, and impossible to look away from.

“Let’s just say,” Bayley added with a knowing grin, “the little accident turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to me.”